Precise details of all vehicle makes and models that are in your in your database
Request ID: FOI-0569-2223 Date published: 29 June 2022
You asked
F/on from FOI-0301
I had expected a simple list of vehicles that would enable anyone to check if they would receive a PCN.
In my case for Peugeot there are 1795 apparent variants recorded in your list.
I confirm that the precise definition per V5C for my vehicle is one of them.
The Rotherhithe Tunnel signage focusses on 3 vehicle criteria: Height; Width and Gross Weight.
Question: How does your system determine which vehicles infringe these measurements in order to generate a request to DVLA for contact details?
We answered
Thank you for your email.
Currently the only contravention of the Rotherhithe Tunnel we can enforce is the weight restriction as that falls within the remit of devolved powers to TfL. All other restrictions are currently Police matters which they would enforce. All information on the Rotherhithe Tunnel safety restrictions and why they are in place can be found on our website - Rotherhithe Tunnel restrictions - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk). We have physical barriers in place to inhibit oversize vehicles in terms of height and width.
The Rotherhithe Tunnel was built in 1908 and was not designed to cope with modern levels of traffic. These restrictions help to ensure that road users can continue to use the tunnel safely while we work on plans for the tunnel's future.
A review of the Rotherhithe Tunnel Ventilation system identified there were issues with the system capacity and therefore for safety reasons it was determined we need to limit the use of the tunnel. And further it was determined that goods vehicles posed the greatest risk to the tunnel. As such a traffic order was introduced which restricted the use of goods vehicles to those with a maximum permissible mass of 2000kgs. The difference between a passenger car and an equivalent size light commercial/goods vehicle applies due to the potential load that can be carried. The fire loading of a passenger vehicle in general is easy to estimate as it is limited to the number of passengers and associated baggage. The fire load of a light commercial vehicle is harder to estimate, so in the international guidelines these are referenced as having a higher fire load. The Highways England guidance document BD78/99 Design of Road Tunnels gives the fire load of a car as 5 megawatts (MW) and a van (Light commercial) as 15 MW. Therefore why goods vehicles present a greater risk. The current capability of the Rotherhithe tunnel ventilation system can safely deal with a passenger car fire but the light commercial vehicle is beyond its safe working limits. This is why the restriction applies to vehicles more than 2 metres (6'6") high, 2 metres (6'6") wide or goods vehicles weighing more than 2 tonnes (gross vehicle weight).
The vehicle weight restriction was imposed on 21st September 2018 by Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), GLA 2018 No 0451 - The A101 GLA Road (Rotherhithe Tunnel, Rotherhithe Tunnel Approach and Branch Road, London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark)(Temporary Weight and Height Restrictions) Order 2018. This became a permanent order as a result of The A101 GLA Road (Rotherhithe Tunnel, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Southwark) (Various Prohibitions and Restrictions) Consolidation Order 2012 Variation Order 2019 coming into force on 1st May 2019.
When issuing weight restriction PCNs TfL primarily uses vehicle data held and provided by the DVLA. Primarily the data we use is the vehicle type, to determine if it is a goods vehicle or not, its weights, to determine if it is within the restriction or not. In addition we also use the vehicle make/model and other data which may indicate the vehicle may fall within weight. This provides us good reasons to issue the PCN. For some vehicles the DVLA have explained they have no requirement to record the weight of a vehicle and therefore on occasions we do issue PCNs when no DVLA data is available but we have supplemented that with other information we have gathered as stated. We recognise there may be instances when a vehicle model may have a variety of different weights, and that some may not be over two tonnes. However having established good reason to issue the PCN it would then be down to the PCN recipient to demonstrate through the statutory representation and appeal process that the restriction did not apply. This may include providing additional evidence such a copy of the vehicle weighting plate, certificate of conformity or manufacturer information for our consideration, notwithstanding the fact that registered keepers are required to ensure DVLA data for their vehicle is accurate and up to date.
If a motorist provides to us evidence of the vehicles maximum permissible mass, or gross weight, is less than 2000kgs (two tonnes) the PCN will be cancelled and our records updated to ensure that no further Rotherhithe Tunnel Weight restriction penalties are issued.
I hope you will find this additional information useful.
